Narragansett, R.I. – December 8, 2004 — The Metcalf Institute for Marine and Environmental Reporting at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography is offering two 10-month Environmental Reporting Fellowships for minority journalists interested in science-based reporting. The fellowship includes a $28,000 stipend to attend the Metcalf Institute Seventh Annual Workshop for Journalists in June 2005; four weeks of independent study at URI with science faculty mentorship; and a 37-week reporting fellowship covering the environment at either NPR-member station, WBUR, Boston, or The Providence Journal, Providence, RI.

The Annual Workshop, which will be held June 12-17, 2005, will be attended by ten Metcalf Institute fellows, in addition to the two Environmental Reporting fellows. This workshop provides reporters with hands-on field and lab research experience and offers lectures, debates, and panel sessions by leading scientists, journalists and policy experts.

Following the workshop, the two Environmental Reporting fellows are each paired with a URI science professor who mentors and oversees a four-week independent study program in marine and environmental science at the University, tailored to the interests of each journalist. Finally, the fellows work as environmental reporters for 37 weeks, placed at either WBUR or The Providence Journal, covering regional marine and environmental issues and some general assignment news. The fellowship ends in April 2006.

The Metcalf Institute Environmental Reporting Fellowships are available to U.S. citizens. Applicants should have a minimum of two years experience in journalism in any media and a strong interest in science writing.

Applications must be postmarked by February 11, 2005. More information, including an application, is available at www.gso.uri.edu/metcalf or by calling (401) 874-6211.

The Metcalf Institute was established in 1997 in memory of Michael P. Metcalf with funding from Belo Corp., The Providence Journal Charitable Foundation, The Philip L. Graham Fund, and the Telaka Foundation.